But I'm more interested in what's happening today -- taking an idea that occurred in another realm, or another state, whatever, and translated into reality. Behold: chicken liver paté with oats, breaded and deep fried, an idea that I saw in a recent dream that I told you about.

A year ago, I was just starting to think of a young man I met on the Internet as my sort-of boyfriend, and was making plans for meeting up with him. I was also starting to think about quitting my job as a transcriber for a news wire service (politicians become really, really annoying when you have to listen to them all day, every day) and looking forward to some change.

Now I'm in a new job, new state, new last name, and looking forward to celebrating Chinese New Year, of all things, on Sunday with my in-laws.

Except the problem with marrying into a Chinese family is that all of the sudden you have to GIVE lucky money to your unmarried relatives and friends without ever having RECEIVED lucky money. Lame. (Although my husband is such a saver, he probably never even spent his, and so I still get the benefit of it.)

A year ago I was still elated about having a clean PET CT scan, and got a quick turnaround on scheduling an outpatient surgery to remove my Mediport. I had also attended a homebuyer seminar at my credit union and was trying to decide whether or not to buy a home.

It was a good moment.

I'm doing worse this year. The pain! I almost couldn't finish my grocery store outing this evening. I put the meat in the fridge but I can't do any more. I took a powerful painkiller and it's like the dart into the elephant. I won't be conscious long.

A year ago tonight I had a dream that I'm in some kind of church. I suddenly realize that I'm wearing only a nightie. I'm embarrassed, but there's nothing I can do about it now except try to carry it off. Later I see that another woman a few pews ahead of me is also wearing a nightie, so I feel a little bit better, but not much.

We spent a three day weekend at the Plantation at Amelia Island attending the rental property owners weekend for the free golf and a party. That warm weather in early February is not here anymore, and we will have to wait for spring break in March to see if it is warm enough to go down to the beach.And the snow in Atlanta today covers every thing in a Currier & Ives winter wonderland. Enjoy your travels together and make more memories as a contented couple advises the wise Hebrew, Solomon, in Ecclesiastes, because there is truly nothing better. And thanks for keeping the unique Althouse Blog Salon open.

A year ago I had coffee with a woman who'd recently survived a ruptured brain aneurysm and a Near Death Experience. She told about the way both experiences changed her life and her outlook. Her unpracticed and haltingly told story seemed credible and incredible to me and very real to her.

Oh my. Reminds me of a lunch with a friend at Cantor Fitzgerald a few weeks before our lives changed. Sitting near the glass, I had to look away when I sensed a slight sway as the tower moved relative to the other - just enough to be noticible.

A year ago I was distraught that a man had, within the past month, knowingly usurped the Presidency, put his hand on the bible, lied about defending the USC, and no one seemed to care, and even cheered. The world has been upside down through the looking glass since.